San Diego & SoCal Fishing Forums

Posted: **Mon Apr 13, 2026 1:44 pm**

First post... Wondering If anyone will be attending the Cast Hope Barrett event this year? Has anyone attended in pervious years?
I have no affiliation, but and looking forward to attending! A great cause and unique chance to fish at our favorite lake.

Cheers to another year of Barrett

Any hot tips from others who have had the chance to fish it early this year?

Posted: **Mon Apr 13, 2026 2:33 pm**

https://www.socalangler.com/sharing-is- ... rett-lake/

Posted: **Mon Apr 13, 2026 5:23 pm**

Exactly as Dark Shadow’s vids describe, better deeper. We hit TEMAS in March and had our best on jigs and T-rig worms but pretty much all the standards worked. They really liked the plum Mag Fattyz and the various green jig n craws. Have fun at Cast Hope!

Posted: **Tue Apr 14, 2026 7:46 am**

I think that this time of year, when someone asks, "What are you getting them on?" at Barrett, you reply with, 'Yes."

It's pick your poison, although I will reiterate the part about fishing deeper. Believe me, you can get all the 3/4 to 1 pounders you want up shore, and if that tickles your fancy, go for it! U can chuck and wind for these guys and have fun, but it's clear that the better quality is off the shoreline.

You can keep it simple, or throw baits that you don't usually get to throw in other lakes. You want to build confidence with a jig or a crankbait? This is the time. If you wanna catch some slab bluegill or crappie, this may be the time as well if you're into that.

While I know the dropshot gets plenty of bites at the Big B, I don't think I've ever thrown it once, because I don't feel the need to. This isn't San Vicente in July.

But, most importantly, have fun! This is a special fishery, and the SHARE peeps get to fish it a full month before it opens up.

Posted: **Tue Apr 14, 2026 2:42 pm**

DarkShadow wrote: Tue Apr 14, 2026 7:46 am I think that this time of year, when someone asks, "What are you getting them on?" at Barrett, you reply with, 'Yes."

It's pick your poison, although I will reiterate the part about fishing deeper. Believe me, you can get all the 3/4 to 1 pounders you want up shore, and if that tickles your fancy, go for it! U can chuck and wind for these guys and have fun, but it's clear that the better quality is off the shoreline.

You can keep it simple, or throw baits that you don't usually get to throw in other lakes. You want to build confidence with a jig or a crankbait? This is the time. If you wanna catch some slab bluegill or crappie, this may be the time as well if you're into that.

While I know the dropshot gets plenty of bites at the Big B, I don't think I've ever thrown it once, because I don't feel the need to. This isn't San Vicente in July.

But, most importantly, have fun! This is a special fishery, and the SHARE peeps get to fish it a full month before it opens up.

If I can just get out of my own way I plan to throw some glide baits deeper this year. We’ll see.

And P.S. comparing no trolling motor at Barrett to not having dollar bills at Spearmint Rhino was straight up hilarious

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